Cincinnati Arts Offer Youth a Lifetime of Lessons

Not only do children acquire a positive self image via the arts, but they also cultivate several character traits which ensure success in future endeavors.  Through training in the arts, Kramer states that “children learn commitment and dedication” as they adhere to strict practice regimens and performance schedules.  Kramer suggests that the more students perform or participate in the arts, the more dedicated they become to advancing their skills.  Research studies have shown that arts education instills hard work and responsibility in students through constant self-monitoring in order to become proficient in their artistic domain.  Responsibility is further cultivated by the necessity of caring for resources such as art supplies or musical instruments.  Students learn that if their resources are not properly taken care of, these items will deteriorate, not function properly, and money is wasted.

Young adds to these findings in stating that musical training “teaches patience” as students must “work on a project until [it is] complete.”  Too many students today expect skills to come easily and when effort is required to perform a certain task, these students simply give up.  Arts education students learn the value of patience, focus, and determination as they constantly tweak, recreate, or practice until success is realized.  These character qualities transcend the arts and can be applied to each academic subject, sports activities, church activities, and eventually the place in which these students will one day be employed.  Developing character enables students to become successful in many avenues of life.

Lastly, the arts provide another medium in which students can communicate their thoughts or emotions.  Painting a scene, sculpting an image, playing an instrument, or acting presents a non-invasive way where students can express their joys, frustrations, confusion, struggles, and achievements without feeling threatened or ashamed of what they feel.  Some students are too shy to express verbally what is inside of them, yet when provided with the medium of arts, they are able to loudly, emotionally, and effectively express their feelings without being intimidated.

Cincinnati embraces the idea of bringing people together through the arts as one of the goals in grant funding for the arts is to provide arts experiences for as many residents as possible.  The arts are no respecter of age, race, economic status, or religion but rather, as Rachel Kramer notes, the arts are able “to bridge” differences and “bring people together” especially those who may not otherwise associate with one another.  The arts provide a lifelong journey of success, achievement, and happiness through the virtues of dedication, determination, commitment, and responsibility that they instill for lifelong personal growth. 

“The arts are fundamental resources through which the world is viewed, meaning is created, and the mind developed.” – Elliot W. Eisner, Professor of Education and Art, Stanford University.